AJ Fernandez introduced the Last Call Maduro at the IPCPR 2016 trade show in Las Vegas following the release of the very popular Last Call.  The Last Call popularity has sky rocketed since its release earlier in the year.  The price point is very attractive for cigar smokers as both version come in at less than $6.  With the popularity of the Last Call, it only makes sense the next version be a maduro version replacing the Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper of the Last Call with a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper. These cigars are part of the Portfolio Series that are cigars that AJ Fernandez claims are test blends he has worked on at the factory.  The purpose of the Last Call series is a cigar to be smoked late at night as the last cigar like the last call for drinks at a bar before closing.  Let’s take a look at the specs:

• Vitola: Geniales
• Size: 4-1/2” x 48 Ring Gauge
• Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Purchase Price: $5.36 at Serious Cigars in Houston, TX

Pre-Light

The wrapper has a dark chocolate brown, rustic looking wrapper. The cigar has a closed foot and a well applied cap. Even with the closed foot, I could get a decent draw on the cigar with notes of cedar, bitter chocolate and rich earth.

 

First Half

The cigar has a very dense flavor profile if that makes any sense.  The smoke feels thick and heavy on the palate with notes of cereal, milk chocolate, molasses and hints of citrus. There is not as much black pepper as I expected either, which is surprising.  There is a dry woodiness to the cigar which reminds of the hickory flavor smoked meats have.  The cigar is medium to lower full bodied at this point.

Last Half

The cigar is very linear as the flavors didn’t change too much.  The only real change is that it’s getting more earthy and bitter with notes of mushrooms and more bitter chocolate.  The cigar is getting more fuller bodied near the end.

Overall Impressions

While I like the Last Call, I wasn’t as thrilled with Last Call Maduro.  The flavors were a little muddy and dry.  I also didn’t care for the bitterness at the end.  The cigar was mediocre to me as I can think of several other Maduro cigars that I’d rather smoke over this one.  Granted, the price point is amazing so I guess I can’t expect too much from a cigar that only cost $5.36.  These cigars are a pass for me.